§ 12. Mr. Laversasked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he has in mind 1389 for the training of the 4,540 unemployed disabled persons, male and female, who are registered at the present time in the county of Durham.
§ Mr. IsaacsOnly a proportion of the number quoted need training, which is provided at six Government training centres, a special residential training centre, technical colleges and employers' establishments. 769 severely disabled will have their need for training met by the establishment in 1947–1948 of three factories under the Disabled Persons Corporation at Durham, Chester-le-Street and West Hartlepool. If necessary further factories will be established.
§ Mr. LaversI wonder if the Minister is aware of the general feeling in County Durham, which carries more than 50 per cent. of the total disabled, that the training has been bungled and muddled by incredible delays on the part of his Department, and that his statement will allay the fears of those who rendered such first-class service in this country in both an industrial and a military capacity?
§ Mr. IsaacsI hope also that the statement I have made will do something to allay the misconceived statements which must have been circulated about this matter.
§ Captain MacLeodCan the Minister say if firms which are prepared to employ disabled ex-Servicemen will get priority in machinery which they may require to employ these men?
§ Mr. IsaacsI have no authority about the allocation of machinery, but as far as employers are concerned, it is right to say that in the main throughout the country they generously come into line and accept their quota of disabled workers.